The Columbia (University) History of the World, edited by John A. Garraty and Peter Gay. This is a 1200 pager written by different Columbia University professors. It was published in 1972 and is a "heavy" book. My guess is will be a book chewed a chapter at a time, perhaps over the course of a year or so. Has anyone read it?

Moment of Truth by Lisa Scottoline is a bit lighter read. Mystery/legal book.

I'm about to finish "LA Requiem" - I believe I got the recommendation from this thread. Pretty good, although the characters seem more sketched than three-dimensional. The killer in particular would have benefited from being fleshed out over maybe another 50 pages. Cole almost seems like a placeholder; he is almost devoid of personality. The flashbacks to earlier scenes in Pike's life were pretty good, and I found him a lot more interesting than Cole, but he's still something of a mystery figure by the end of the book. This book is somewhere in the middle of a series, however, so perhaps most of the back story comes from the earlier books. If I were to read another Crais book, which one should I choose? Is it best to start at the beginning (Monkey's Raincoat)?

Looking thru my book log, i have read the following Robert Crais/Cole/Pike novels:The First Rule - this deals more with Pike and establishes his background. Pretty good book.LA Requim - you have read thisThe Forgotten Man - Not bad...it deals with Elvis Cole's investigation of a man who claims to have been his father. Background info on Cole.The Last Detective - Not bad...Cole and Pike investigate the kidnapping of Cole's girlfriend's son.

These Crais books are good, not great and fill a need for me to read entertaining books with personalities. No where near Michael Connelly or James Lee Burke in writing ability, but a definate addition to my "list of approved authors".

Have you read any of the Lawrence Block books? I really like his Scudder charactor...this is set in New York City and deal with quite a few "charactors".The Lee Child books on "Reacher" charactor are similar to Crais for me. Not mind bending but very entertaining with tough, tough guys.

Looking thru my book log, i have read the following Robert Crais/Cole/Pike novels:The First Rule - this deals more with Pike and establishes his background. Pretty good book.LA Requim - you have read thisThe Forgotten Man - Not bad...it deals with Elvis Cole's investigation of a man who claims to have been his father. Background info on Cole.The Last Detective - Not bad...Cole and Pike investigate the kidnapping of Cole's girlfriend's son.

These Crais books are good, not great and fill a need for me to read entertaining books with personalities. No where near Michael Connelly or James Lee Burke in writing ability, but a definate addition to my "list of approved authors".

Have you read any of the Lawrence Block books? I really like his Scudder charactor...this is set in New York City and deal with quite a few "charactors".The Lee Child books on "Reacher" charactor are similar to Crais for me. Not mind bending but very entertaining with tough, tough guys.

Ed

Thanks for the Crais recommendations. I enjoyed LA Requiem despite my observation that the characters didn''t seem very fully developed. I'll try one of the other titles you listed. Haven't read any Lawrence Block books, but he's on my to-check-out list.

Having finished LA Requiem, I'm now about 50 pages into Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell. Very nice so far. I'll write more about it once I finish it.

Currently reading Moment of Truth by Lisa Scottoline. My first book by her...picked it up at a garage sale for a quarter. First 100 pages I was ready to quit, after 200 pages it is picking up a little steam. Interesting plot, husband confesses to murdering wealthy wife to protect 16 year old daughter who is a teen model (who appears to have killed the mom).

The Mobile Wave by Michael Saylor Steal Like An Artist by Austin Kleon The Practicing Mind by Thomas Sterner This Will Make You Smarter Edited by John Brockman I Know Who You Are And I Saw What You Did by Lori Andrews

thirdman wrote:"The Lost Continent." Bill Bryson. He drives his mother's Chevette around the United States in 1987 in search of the perfect small town. He ends up where he started, but in the interval reviews truck stops, state troopers, and Motel 6.

Bryson's books are wonderful. One that he wrote about England ("Notes from a Small Island", I think) has a description of Cricket that is one of the funniest paragraphs I've ever read. A "Walk in the Woods" is classic too.

John Adams, by David McCullough - maybe the best biography I've ever read, by an author known for great biographies

I loved this book for its great detail, which is one way McCullough puts you right in the scene. I read it a couple years ago and still think often of the opening lines, with Adams and a companion on a long journey by horseback on a winter night, forced to stay at a walk on snow and ice.

I read Caro's book also and agree. Very interesting book. He was a very complex man.

Ed

Some years ago I read Caro's "The Power Broker," which is a biography of Robert Moses, probably the single individual who has had the most impact on the physical development of New York City and its environs. It was a fascinating story on many levels, and one of the best biographies I've ever read. Very highly recommended.

I'll get to the LBJ series one of these days, but have to admit I'm daunted by the sheer number of pages to be conquered in that mountain. Also, I was waiting for the 4th and what I thought was to be the final volume to be published. Now it seems there's going to be a 5th, assuming Caro lives long enough to finish it!

MP173 wrote:I'll get to the LBJ series one of these days, but have to admit I'm daunted by the sheer number of pages to be conquered in that mountain. Also, I was waiting for the 4th and what I thought was to be the final volume to be published. Now it seems there's going to be a 5th, assuming Caro lives long enough to finish it!

I finally finished it. I read it on Kindle, and was a little discouraged when it showed only 60% completed. But it ended there and the rest consists of footnotes.

This one ended before most o the the Vietnam War escalation. That should be a good discussion in the next book, if the author and I live to see it.

You can see why it took so long to write it (in addition to the fact that he does it on a typewriter). The research is meticulous.

Now I've started another interesting book by Fr. Greg Doyle - Tattoos on the Heart - about a gang ministry in Los Angeles. Very thought provoking so far.

MP173 wrote:Let me know what you think of David Mitchell. I havent heard of him.d

A little more than halfway through now - I'm really digging Cloud Atlas. It's an unconventional novel, comprised of 6 loosely connected short stories, five of which are divided in half, so that you read it in this order:

first half of part 1first half of part 2..first half of part 5all of part 6second half of part 5...second half of part 1

Each story is (very well) written its own distinct style, e.g. part 1 is written as a diary of a 19th century colonist in the Pacific islands, part 5 is set in a futuristic dystopia "Brave New World" environment, and so on. Each one is interesting in its own right, and it's intriguing to see how they are linked together. Highly recommended if this sort of thing is your cup of tea.

Doing a reread of "Adventures Of Augie March" by Saul Bellow. For sure, a heavy hitter author, winning several awards including the Noble Prize for literature. It's the only book I have read of his. Sometimes I am lost with his references to philosphy and mythology, but otherwise enjoy this coming of age book during the Great Depression in Chicago.

I could really discuss Caro's book, but the sensitive nature of the moderators would no doubt find the thread banned. This is an excellent book on politics and how it works. Really should be read by this forum to realize how Washington really works.

Currently reading Silent Partner by Jonathan Kellerman...picked it up at the library today and saved $10.

MP173 wrote:I could really discuss Caro's book, but the sensitive nature of the moderators would no doubt find the thread banned. This is an excellent book on politics and how it works. Really should be read by this forum to realize how Washington really works.

Currently reading Silent Partner by Jonathan Kellerman...picked it up at the library today and saved $10.